Energy Biz - July/August 2008 - (Page 40e) Following technology demonstration, AEP installed the first NaS battery at its Chemical Station near Charleston, W.Va., in 2006. A Great Idea, But Will It Work? FaciliTaTinG The PracTical sTeP BeTween imaGine and dePloymenT aEp’s dolan TEchnology cEnTEr providEs TEsT and real-world demonstration opportunities for emerging technologies that will help change the way we deliver electricity and serve customers. Through its gridSMARTSM initiative AEP is defining the grid of the future, not in isolation, but in collaboration with a vast range of technology developers and equipment and service providers. AEP’s activities enable that critical step between the vision and customers’ practical use: technology testing. At its Dolan Technology Center, Groveport, Ohio, AEP advances technology by confirming its viability before mass deployment. Here, engineers and scientists work with technology and product developers to put concepts and prototypes to the test in real-world and demonstration installations. ami, da, han – AEP is testing and demonstrating advanced meter infrastructure, distribution automation and home area network components at the Dolan campus, including security, monitoring, protocols, interfaces and controls – learning how the applications can work together to improve service and reliability. nas battery – After testing and a demonstration installation at another AEP facility, AEP installed the first 1.2 megawatt (MW) sodium sulfur (NaS) battery at a substation near Charleston, W.Va., in 2006. This installation delayed the need to construct a new substation for three years. AEP is considering installation of 25 MW of NaS batteries by 2010. Three additional batteries of comparable size will be installed during 2008. Fuel cells – AEP is working with Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems to jointly test and evaluate the pre-commercial hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) distributed generation system. The 1 MW, 480 volt, three-phase SOFC is designed to operate on pipeline grade natural gas at a mature efficiency of 67 percent (projected) with a very favorable emissions profile, and is targeted to compete with central generation and the grid on a customer cost of electricity basis. The three-year program enables AEP and Rolls-Royce to verify the performance, and to demonstrate the operation of the SOFC under normal operating conditions. microgrid – AEP is testing a microgrid installation in conjunction with the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS). The nation’s first fullscale CERTS microgrid demonstration, this test bed is providing power to a small network, isolating and reconnecting itself automatically and seamlessly to the utility grid as needed to improve power quality, reliability and energy efficiency. AEP’s gridSMARTSM initiative is changing the way AEP provides service and information to customers. gridSMART components include advanced energy efficiency and demand-side management opportunities, deployment of smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure technologies, installation of distribution automation technologies and distributed resources. gridSMART products and services offer customers better response to service interruptions, more accessible information about energy use and prices, increased energy efficiency and greater conservation opportunities. 5
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